Certifications can verify your IT skills and experience, demonstrating to employers that you have the knowledge and expertise to complete the job. You can get certified in skills you currently have or skills you want to utilize in your profession – whatever your objective, certifications are an excellent way to ramp up your CV and separate yourself from other job applicants.

According to the Robert Half 2021 IT Salary Report, IT workers with the following standard credentials can earn 5% to 10% more than their colleagues. Whether you’re just starting or have been in the business for 20 years, there’s a certification that may help you advance your pay and career.

#1 – AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect is among the most popular cloud computing certifications. Amazon provides a broad number of AWS certifications, but the AWS Certified Solutions Architect is one of the most popular. Both large and small businesses extensively use AWS, so it’s an excellent pick for your resume whether you now work for one or intend to in the future. The certification tests your ability to build and deploy scalable systems on AWS while keeping costs low while maintaining security, stability, and quality.

According to PayScale, the average yearly pay of an AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional is $113,000.

#2 – Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

The International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)² offers the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification. The certification proves your skills and expertise in the areas of cloud data, apps, infrastructure architecture, management, and security. Enterprise architects, security administrators, systems engineers, security architects, systems architects or consultants, engineers or managers are among those who will benefit from it. 

Cloud concepts, architecture, design, security, risk, and compliance are all covered in the certification test. While not necessary, the (ISC)² advises that candidates have at least five years of IT experience, with at least three years in information security and one year in one or more of the CCSP, CBOK’s six categories.

According to PayScale, the average yearly pay of a Certified Cloud Security Professional is $118,559.

#3 – Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE)

The ISACA’s Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE) certification is designed to show you have the knowledge and skills to manage the growing complexity of data privacy and security. It’s a technical certification based on your ability to “implement privacy by design, resulting in privacy technology platforms and solutions that establish trust and advance data privacy.” 

You must have at least five years of expertise in privacy governance and architecture to take the test. The two-year experience requirement will be eliminated if you already have a CISA, CRISC, CISM, CGEIT, or CSX-P certification.

Annual Salary Average: As this is a new certification, there is no data available.

#4 – Certified Data Professional (CDP)

The Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) offers multiple study pathways for the Certified Data Professional (CDP) certification. Business analytics, data analytics, design, data governance, data integration and interoperability, data management, data warehousing, enterprise data architecture, information systems or IT management, and more are among the domains available to CDP applicants. The CDP is available at several levels, beginning with the foundation and progressing through associate, mastery, principal, and executive management.

According to PayScale, the average yearly pay of a Certified Data Professional is $45,000.

#5 – Certified Ethical Hacker

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, offered by the EC-Council, certifies your competence to identify and prevent computer system vulnerabilities. As an ethical hacker, you employ the same skills, tactics, and information as a malicious hacker to improve security and avoid future attacks. Ethical hackers are in charge of identifying flaws in an organization’s networks and systems and then using that information to safeguard the company against attacks.

According to PayScale, the average yearly pay of a Certified Ethical Hacker is $81,000.

#6 – Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification from ISACA addresses information security governance, a topic becoming increasingly important to organizations throughout the world. The certificate is for IT professionals who deal with or manage IT security and wish to demonstrate their knowledge of information security governance, risk management, program creation and management, and information security incident management. It’s a plus if you’ve worked in IS or IT security before; the certification is geared for IT professionals who want to go up the management path.

According to PayScale, the average yearly pay of a Certified Information Security Manager is $126,525.

#7 – Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The (ISC)²‘s Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification validates your knowledge and skills in the domains of IT security and information assurance. Organizational structure, security and risk management, asset security, security operations, identity and access management (IAM), security assessment and testing, and security architecture and engineering are among the topics covered in the certification. 

It is necessary to have at least five years of paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains covered by the (ISC)² CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). With a relevant four-year college degree or an authorized certification, you may be able to satisfy one year of experience.

According to PayScale, the average yearly pay of a Certified Information Systems Security Professional is $114,293.

#8 – Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)

The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) is the highest level of certification available through Cisco’s program. Enterprise infrastructure, enterprise wireless, data center, security, service provider, and collaboration are among the specialties covered by the expert-level certificates. You will have achieved the highest level of Cisco certification currently available once you have passed your CCIE test in your chosen subject. 

It is suggested that you have at least five to seven years of experience in the certification field before achieving your expert-level certification.

According to PayScale, the average yearly pay of a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert is $126,000.

#9 – Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Security, wireless, routing and switching, industrial, IoT, data center, cyber operations, collaboration, and cloud are the specialties available for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification. Network basics, network access, IP connections, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability are all covered in this exam. 

To pass the test, you’ll need at least one year of experience working with Cisco products and services, a basic understanding of IP addresses, and a good grasp of network principles.

According to PayScale, the average yearly pay of a Cisco Certified Network Associate is $78,000.

#10 – Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert

The Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert Certification is for cloud professionals advising stakeholders and developing reliable cloud solutions for businesses. The expert-level exam tests your abilities and knowledge in infrastructure deployment and configuration, workload implementation and security, and app creation and deployment. 

Designing a data platform solution, business continuity and infrastructure plan, and how to create for the cloud are among the topics covered in the exam. Determine workload needs, develop data platform solutions, start a business continuity plan, and design for deployment, migration, and integration are all skills you’ll need.

According to PayScale, the average yearly pay of a Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert is $119,412.